A good month there, although you drew 2 of the 3. Keep it up!

West Ham captain Mark Noble has put pen to paper on a brand new deal at The Boleyn Ground, extending his contract at the club to July 2018 after being named successor to Kevin Nolan as club captain earlier in the year. The central midfielder has been ever present for the Hammers this season, playing 19 games as a defensive midfielder and central midfielder.

Noble is an academy graduate of the club, and has played his entire career at the club with the exception of two loan spells earlier in this career. The clubman was rewarded for his service with the captaincy and now a three year contract extension, although Noble will receive just a £2,000 per week pay rise.



"I'm not in it for the money," he explains, "I'm in it for the thrill of the game and the love of my club. West Ham are my life and I want to stay with them as long as possible."

Currently sitting in 8th position on the Premier League table, Noble will be happy with his club's performance so far. When asked what his goals for the next 3 years were, Noble was all about his team.

"In the next 3 years? I want to play in Europe with West Ham by then. I think with the players we have, we can certainly do just that and I want to be at the forefront of that push, which is why I signed on. Individual goals? The only thing I'm aiming for I guess is a cap for England - but the team will always come first."

Although West Ham fans will be happy with Noble's renewal, many are concerned with the situation of French winger Morgan Amalfitano who is reportedly refusing to sign a new deal with the club despite his current contract expiring in July. The 29 year old joined from Olympique Marseille in the summer for just £750,000 but may have to be moved on in January if he doesn't agree to a new deal shortly.

For the first time this season, West Ham had a reasonably busy month, playing 6 games over the course of December. As festive times appraoched, West Ham needed some good results at the tail end of the month to prove their top half credentials.


Barclays Premier League
CRYSTAL PALACE 3-1
Jaaskelainen, Lowton, Henry, Collins, Cresswell, Poyet, Song, Noble, Ibe (Amalfitano), Downing (Jarvis), Valencia (Carroll)
Enner Valencia (x3)
Enner Valencia (West Ham)

Enner Valencia put in a masterclass as West Ham defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 in the first match of December. Scoring twice in the first half hour and once more just before being substituted, the Ecuadorian striker had a great day at the office, almost single-handedly winning the game for his club.

Barclays Premier League
HULL CITY 1-3
Adrian, Lowton, Henry, Collins, Garbutt (Cresswell), Poyet, Song, Noble (Nolan), Ibe, Jarvis (Downing), Valencia
Enner Valencia
Dame N'Doye (Hull)

Hull City shocked West Ham with a commanding display away from home, firing 3 past returning goalie Adrian. After some top form, the Hammers would not have expected such a bad loss but will consider themselves unlucky to lose by two goals despite there being no clear cut chances during the match.

Barclays Premier League
BURNLEY 2-0
Adrian, Lowton, Tomkins (McShane), Collins, Cresswell, Poyet (Amalfitano), Song, Noble, Ibe, Downing (Jarvis), Valencia
Enner Valencia, Mark Noble
Diego Poyet (West Ham)

Bounce back ability seems to be West Ham's specialty this season as they got the job done at Turf Moor. An early goal from in-form striker Enner Valencia was unanswered throughout the game by Burnley and a Mark Noble penalty sealed the deal in the 85th minute. Diego Poyet, excelling in his new role at DM, had a commanding display.

Barclays Premier League
WEST BROM 1-1
Adrian, Lowton, McShane, Collins (Tomkins), Cresswell, Poyet, Song, Noble (Nolan), Ibe, Jarvis (Downing), Valencia
Jordon Ibe
Jordon Ibe (West Ham)

West Ham will consider themselves simultaneously lucky and unlucky to have drawn this game. Despite having the lion's share of chances, it was West Brom who broke through with a 77th minute goal to James Morrison. Perhaps the football gods shined brightly on West Ham however, as Jordon Ibe's magnificent solo run ended in a 91st minute goal which saw his club snatch both a deserved and unlikely point.

Barclays Premier League
CHELSEA 1-1
Adrian, Lowton, Tomkins, Collins (McShane), Cresswell, Poyet (Nolan), Song, Noble, Ibe, Jarvis, Valencia (Carroll)
Matt Jarvis
Diego Poyet (West Ham)

In what is arguably the hardest trip of the Premier League season, West Ham played out of their skins to record a famous 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. James Collins did his team no favours by conceding a 2nd minute penalty, which was calmly slotted home by Eden Hazard. However, they fought back through big moment player Matt Jarvis, who equalised in the 39th minute. The performances of James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell, who completely nullified Cuadrado and Costa, meant that the match ended 1-1, a huge result for West Ham fans.

Barclays Premier League
MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1
Adrian, Demel, Kouyate, Collins, Cresswell (inj Garbutt), Poyet, Noble (Song), Lletget, Amalfitano, Downing, Sakho (inj Valencia)
Mark Noble
Diego Poyet (West Ham)

Some slightly unfavourable scheduling meant that West Ham played Manchester United just 48 hours after travelling to Chelsea, and after a Herculean effort in the previous match, many players were rotated for this one. Despite that, West Ham were the upper hand for most of the afternoon, with captain Noble scoring a penalty in the 18th minute. West Ham led for 70 minutes thereafter before United captain Wayne Rooney put his foot down, rescuing his side from an embarrassing result with a 91st minute equaliser.


Halfway through the season now and West Ham will be delighted with their current position having secured 8th spot with a game in hand. A win in their next game against Everton could put a lot of pressure on Liverpool as they aim for a top 6 spot.


Although Enner Valencia's explosive performance in the first three games of the month was a highlight, it's been Spanish midfielder Diego Poyet who's impressed most of all since moving to defensive midfield. Originally, he was operating as a DLP but when Noble's form suffered at DM, the pair were swapped and Poyet has shown maturity beyond his 19 years in the half back role. Man of the match performances against Manchester United and Chelsea will do wonders for his confidence and development and he has pushed Kevin Nolan out of the first team.


Diafra Sakho sprained his ankle against Manchester United on the 28th of December and is expected to be out for a further 4 to 5 weeks.
Sebastian Lletget tore his hamstring against Manchester United on the 28th of December and is expected to be out for a further 3 months.

Great results to Chelsea and United, shame about the Hull result.

Lots of matches in December .-.

Not looking bad at the halfway point (near enough) of the season!

Erik Sviatchenko of FC Midtjylland has made his first move abroad, signing for BPL club West Ham United on a £1.5 million deal which will last until July 2019. The 23 year old Danish centre back, yet to be capped by his country, caught the eye of Sam Allardyce with a brilliant Danish Superliga campaign.

Sviatchenko made his debut for FC Midtjylland in 2009 and has played in every campaign since, with West Ham set to be his first destination away from his boyhood club. The young centre half has had a long grounding in the Superliga and will hope that his experience in Denmark can aid him in the Premier League.


Ironically, Sviatchenko is from the same club as his predecessor Winston Reid, who is currently one of the Liga ZON Sagres' top centre backs. The Ukrainean-born player will hope he can follow in Reid's footsteps as one of the league's most underrated centre backs and could use West Ham as a vehicle for a larger transfer.

West Ham will certainly utilise him while they can, with perhaps their only weakness this campaign being a lack of a good centre half pairing. McShane, Collins and Tomkins are yet to click so perhaps the addition of Sviatchenko can give the Hammers more defensive stability as they push for Europa League qualification.

Sviatchenko will immediately move into the first team for today's game against Everton, says Sam Allardyce, and will hope for a good performance in a crucial game to endear himself to the West Ham support.

Problem with the coding mate! You missed a [ at the start, but other than that, great signing and good update!

I like your writing style. Smooth and polished. This is a fun read. Great job!

Let's see whether he'll make a good signing or not!

Welshy Cheers mate, fixed it up now

tenthreeleader I'm flattered, coming from such an eloquent writer such as yourself

Pauks He should be if his form and attributes are anything to go by

2015 looked like being a positive year for the club, and with a solid position in the league secured, West Ham needed some good results against a bevy of strong opposition including Everton, Spurs and Arsenal. They also had the beginning of their FA Cup campaign, playing Brentford in the 3rd Round as they looked to make up for their early League Cup exit.


Barclays Premier League
EVERTON 1-0
Adrian, Lowton, Sviatchenko, Collins, Cresswell (inj O'Brien), Poyet (Nolan), Song, Noble, Ibe, Jarvis (Downing), Valencia
Enner Valencia
Tim Howard (Everton)

West Ham needed a win to put the pressure on the top 7 (featuring their opponents Everton) and got a narrow win in what could have been a blowout. Enner Valencia scored the only goal 20 minutes into the match and it was the heroics of Everton keeper Tim Howard which kept the game to a respectable scoreline. West Ham fans will be happy nonetheless.

FA Cup 3rd Round
BRENTFORD 1-0
Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Henry (Sviatchenko), Burke, Garbutt, Poyet, Song, Noble, Ibe (Amalfitano), Downing, Carroll (inj Lee)
Reece Burke
Reece Burke (West Ham)

The Hammers' FA Cup campaign got underway at home against Championship club Brentford but left a lot to be desired with just a 1-0 win. Young centre back Reece Burke scored the only goal and also picked up the match ball as multiple squad players got first team opportunity, including Joey O'Brien and Luke Garbutt.

Barclays Premier League
TOTTENHAM 0-2
Adrian, Lowton, Sviatchenko, Collins, Cresswell (Garbutt), Poyet, Song (Nolan), Noble, Amalfitano (Ibe), Jarvis, Lee
None
Wellington Nem (Tottenham)

West Ham will have known a trip to White Hart Lane would be tough, and in the end escaped with a 2-0 loss despite Spurs registering 15 shots on target. The kill period came just after half time, with Lamela and Dembele scoring with 10 minutes of eachother whilst injuries in the striker department meant Elliott Lee was forced to play 90 minutes up front with no significant impact.

Barclays Premier League
NEWCASTLE 1-3
Adrian, Demel, McShane, Tomkins, Cresswell, Song, Noble (Poyet), Downing (Nolan), Amalfitano, Jarvis, Ibe (Lee)
Matt Jarvis
Yoan Gouffran (Newcastle)

In-form Newcastle got a convincing win over the Hammers at home, with an Ayoze Perez brace firing them to victory. West Ham's injury problems in the striker department left them bare, forcing winger Jordon Ibe to play as a lone striker with no result. Only a Matt Jarvis first half goal stemmed the tide as West Ham definitely look forward to their key attackers returning.

Barclays Premier League
ARSENAL 0-0
Adrian, Lowton, McShane, Sviatchenko, Cresswell, Poyet, Song, Noble (Nolan), Ibe (inj Downing), Jarvis, Lee (Cole)
None
Erik Sviatchenko (West Ham)

West Ham got another draw against a top 6 sidem this time keeping Arsenal goalless due to great performances by defenders Erik Sviatchenko and Aaron Cresswell. Although the Hammers weren't able to score either, their defensive performance will be a big positive in this game after being carved up by the Gunners earlier in the season.

FA Cup 4th Round
WOLVES 2-2
Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Henry (Sviatchenko), Burke, Garbutt, Song, Nolan (Poyet), Noble, Ibe, Downing, Cole (Carroll)
Stewart Downing (x2)
Stewart Downing (West Ham)

The next stage of the FA Cup saw West Ham travel to Molineux to face a strong Wolves outfit who shocked the Premier League club with two early goals. Losing 2-0 at half time, Stewart Downing took it into his own hands with a stunning brace to give West Ham a home replay.

Barclays Premier League
SWANSEA 1-0
Adrian, Lowton, Tomkins, Sviatchenko, Cresswell, Poyet, Song (Nolan), Downing, Amalfitano (Ibe), Jarvis, Carroll (inj Valencia)
Andy Carroll
Diego Poyet (West Ham)

A typical 1-0 West Ham win on the road finished off January, with Andy Carroll scoring the winner against Swansea. Poyet once more had a commanding display, bringing his match ball collection to 4 for this season and more than compensating for his £2 million fee.


West Ham remain in 8th as usual but are still trailing Everton. The last 15 games of the season need to see consistent form otherwise continental qualification is off the table. Southampton are also snapping at their heels and will need to be wary.


There weren't many standouts this month for West Ham, so the award has gone to the player with the most to prove in Erik Sviatchenko. After joining from Denmark due to some terrific form, he has done well in the Premier League, with his highlight so far being nullifying Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez. He looks to be a player to build the West Ham squad around in the coming years.


Mark Noble suffered a gashed lag against Wolves on the 24th of January and is expected to be out for a further 1 to 3 days.
Sebastian Lletget tore his hamstring against Manchester United on the 28th of December and is expected to be out for a further 5 to 8 weeks.

What a great picture at the start. Rollercoaster of feelings to the movie ;P. Sviatchenko already doing great with a MoTM against Arsenal!

Pauks Yeah Sviatchenko is loving life in the BPL!

The return of Diafra Sakho to training at The Boleyn Ground heralds the end of the injury crisis, with all four first team strikers out injured during the month of January. The absence of Valencia, Sakho, Carroll and Cole meant U21 striker Elliott Lee was called up, and when he was too tired to play, it was Jordon Ibe forced to move up top. Luckily, the forward department is healthy once again - for now.

http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/goal_uk/1b/ec/enner-valencia-west-ham-ecuador-copa-america-2015_1bwrjvh9vfqf61nd206uvl2moz.jpg

The big miss was Enner Valencia, with the Ecuadorian being one of the in-form strikers of the league before going down with injury. Diafra Sakho has also struggled to find consistency due to injury this season, whilst Andy Carroll only recently returned from an 8 month spell on the sidelines. West Ham will hope that this unfortunate timing is never repeated, and they have at least one of their strikers available every week for the rest of the season.